A meeting of the Coordinating Council on providing assistance to children affected by humanitarian catastrophes, natural disasters, terrorist attacks and armed conflicts is held

Mr. Alexander Ivanovich Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, held a meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation on issues of providing assistance to children affected by humanitarian catastrophes, natural disasters, terrorist attacks and armed conflicts.

The meeting was attended by: First Deputy Chairman of the IC of Russia E.V. Kaburneev, Deputy Chairmen of the Russian Investigative Committee S.N. Goryainov, E.E. Leonenko, A.V. Fedorov, N.V. Ushchapovsky, Deputy Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia - Head of the Main Military Investigative Directorate K.E. Korpusov, Heads and Officers of divisions of the Main Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Heads of Territorial Investigative Bodies of the Investigative Committee of Russia; Commissioner for Children's Rights under the President of the Russian Federation M.A. Lvova-Belova, Adviser to the Head of the DPR on children's rights E.M. Fedorenko, Member of the Public Council under the Russian Investigative Committee, People's Artist of the Russian Federation I.R. Reznik, representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, the Moscow Department of Health, the Ministry of Education and Science of the DPR, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Office of the Commissioner on the Rights of the Child of the LPR and public organizations.

Opening the meeting, Mr. A.I. Bastrykin first of all greeted the representatives of the new subjects of Russia. The Head of the Investigative Committee noted the courage and patience of people who, in spite of everything, kept their faith and reunited with the fraternal people. He added that now the mutual task of all specialists and stakeholders is to help them integrate into the Russian Legislation. This is especially important for the protection of the rights of iuveniles.

Turning to the agenda of the meeting, the Head of the Russian Investigative Committee outlined the main areas of work to protect the rights of children who suffered during the hostilities on the territories of the LPR and DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye Oblasts, as well as Ukraine, namely: providing quality medical care, solving housing issues, adaptation to Russian Educational Standards on the annexed territories, psychological support, and mentoring.

Mr. A.I. Bastrykin outlined that since 2014, the Department has launched about 2,000 criminal investigations on crimes committed by the Kiev Regime. The Head of the Russian Investigative Committee spoke in details on the issues of providing humanitarian assistance. Thus, the Republican Children's Traumatology Center of Donetsk, the Republican Children's Clinical Hospital of Lugansk, the Lugansk orphanage have already been taken under the patronage of the Investigative Committee. Officers of the Russian Investigative Committee are doing everything possible to assist the victims. For example, 6 tons of humanitarian aid was sent to the children of Donbas within the rally "From Kuzbass to Donbass", organized by the Russian Investigative Committee and military personnel of the Ministry of Defense. In addition, the Head of the Investigative Committee noted that between February to October 2022, the Department, together with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, evacuated 253 juveniles (including 121 orphans). All people in need were provided with medical care, sent for rehabilitation rest, arranged for studying in educational institutions of the Russian Investigative Committee.

The meeting continued with the reports of the Members of the Coordinating Council. Head of Department (for interaction with state bodies and organizations) - Deputy Head of the National Center for Defense Control of the Russian Federation V.V. Novozhilov expressed gratitude to Mr. A.I. Bastrykin for prompt cooperation and assistance on all issues. In his report, he spoke about the work of the Center for the arrangement of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians.

During the meeting, Mr. A.I. Bastrykin dwelled in detail on the topic of timely response to citizens' appeals. The report of the Secretary of State - Deputy Head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations A.M. Serko, was heard; he shared his experience of working with telephone calls from citizens. The Head of the Investigative Committee of Russia recalled that this work is also being carried out actively by the Department and it is necessary to constantly exchange information. The participants of the meeting broadly touched upon the issue of psychological assistance to people affected by the armed conflict, especially children. Mr. A.M. Serko shared his experience in this area as well.

Ms. M.A. Lvova-Belova, in her turn, thanked the Head of the Department for support in humanitarian matters. She also spoke about the role of the institution of the Commissioner for Children's Rights in solving urgent problems, the main of which is assistance in reuniting the children of Donbas with their relatives. Also Ms. M.A. Lvova-Belova spoke in detail on the problem of family placement of orphans and children left without parental care. At the same time, she noted that this issue should not be approached formally, but the interests of each child should be taken into account, first of all. Her colleague is an Adviser to the Head of the DPR on children's rights Ms. E.M. Fedorenko agreed with this position and noted that, for her part, she provides the necessary assistance to all relevant Ministries and Departments in protecting the legitimate rights and interests of children.

First Deputy Minister of Education of the Russian Federation A.V. Bugaev and Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation G.A. Gurov presented their reports on the work related to the introduction of Russian Educational Standards to the new territories of the Russian Federation, on the process of improving the qualifications of teachers, and the introduction of additional teaching aids.

Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation A.N. Plutnitsky noted that medical units have been strengthened on the border areas. Director of the Research Institute of Emergency Pediatric Surgery and Trauma Mr. V.A. Mitish spoke about the work of the institution's team of doctors for the treatment and rehabilitation of wounded children. He also expressed his gratitude to the Investigative Committee for the joint work on the evacuation of the wounded and noted the incredible feat of the Donetsk doctors, who literally carry out unique surgeries under shelling.

At the meeting, the importance of working with youth was noted. Mr. A.I. Bastrykin emphasized that during the summer, the third working semester was organized for students of educational institutions of the Russian Investigative Committee, when the guys helped in hospitals and other social institutions. It was a good experience for them and it was great support for people in difficult situations.

Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Ms.K.D. Razuvayeva told the audience about the new areas of work of the Department that she heads, taking into account the goals and objectives of the special military operation. She added that the positive experience of the IC of Russia in the patriotic education of youth is taken into account too.

Member of the Public Council under the Investigative Committee of Russia, People's Artist of the Russian Federation I.R. Reznik joined the discussion via video from the Republic of Crimea. He spoke about his work on the cultural development of children who arrived in the Crimea and Sevastopol.

In conclusion, the meeting participants noted that the current foreign policy situation poses new challenges that cannot be ignored. Every child's life matters. In this regard, all persons unanimously expressed their readiness to participate in resolving issues of providing assistance to children. As a result of the meeting, a number of specific proposals were developed aimed at protecting the rights; life and health of children affected by the actions of the Kiev Regime, and measures were proposed to optimize the mechanism of interaction between all departments in fulfilment of this task. Mr. A.I. Bastrykin gave a number of instructions to his subordinates on all the issues raised.